When describing the impact tires have on the environment we have to consider their complete life cycle from the extraction of raw materials, via the manufacturing process and normal service life to recycling and disposal. At all stages She first requirement is io determine the interaction with the environment, to quantify the effects and then - wherever possible - to avoid or to minimize them. Apart from compiling all relevant data, the environment management department of a tire manufacturer has to oversee the integration of environmental systems into all corporate areas of activity.